PHO Rounds: COVID-19 - Variants of Concern
This rounds session will cover an overview of the evidence to date on COVID-19 variants of concern with respect to their epidemiology and their influence on the pandemic and disease control. We will present some of the methods that are used to screen and test for variants of concern, as well as the results of targeted and surveillance testing for variants in Ontario. Finally, we will present updates from the Provincial Advisory Committee on Infectious Diseases – Infection Control regarding the evidence and recommendations for infection control measures related to variants of concern.
Intended audience: Public health unit front line providers
The objectives of the webinar are to:
- Describe the variants of concern for COVID-19 and their role in the pandemic
- Summarize the laboratory results associated with variants of concern in Ontario
- Discuss the infection prevention and control measures recommended for use with variants of concern
Presenter(s): Dr. Michelle Murti, Dr. Jonathan Gubbay and Sandra Callery
Dr. Michelle Murti is a Physician Lead in the Health Protection Department at Public Health Ontario. Her area of expertise includes communicable diseases, surveillance and epidemiology and emergency preparedness. She is cross-appointed in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Jonathan Gubbay is a Medical Microbiologist for the Virus Detection and Arbovirus laboratories, the laboratory lead for emerging viral pathogens at Public Health Ontario, an Associate Professor in the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and part-time staff physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Hospital for Sick Children.
Sandra Callery RN MHSc CIC is a Senior Advisor in the Health Protection Department at Public Health Ontario, an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, and a lecturer for infection prevention and control courses at Centennial College and Queens University.
Accreditation
Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.
College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.
PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).
For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact events@oahpp.ca
Accessibility
Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or events@oahpp.ca
Register Here (Mar 30, 2021 Session)
Register Here (Mar 31, 2021 Repeat Session)
